The Days of Our Ridazz.

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On my lunch break right now, I was traveling northbound on Owensmouth crossing Oxnard St, and a pedestrian was walking southbound about mid way through the crosswalk. As I was starting to cross the intersection a black Ford Expedition turned left infront of me..I checked up and so did he, as he just noticed there was a pedestrian, now right in front of his vehicle. As I slowed up, I yelled to him: "Don't you see me and the pedestrian?!" He yelled back FUCK YOU and flipped the bird..so as I passed I slapped his taillight...Oh Boy!! He busted a half donut instead of making a left and tried to run me into the curb..I just bunny hopped the best I could onto the sidewalk, jumping out of my cages I gashed my left leg a little bit. He jumped out of the truck and ran up to me like was going to kill me..right then a witnessing vehicle stopped behind him to get his attention. This was also being witnessed by all of the people waiting for the bus at the Warner Center Orangeline stop... He tells me watch whose vehicle I slap and he had the green yadayada...He then told me he would fuck me up..(i weigh 160lbs..he weighed 240lbs of straight muscle easily...it was ridiculous!!) I told him go ahead with all of the witnesses around. He looked around and decieded to get back in his truck. The whole side of his truck was fucked too, like he had just sideswiped someone earlier this week.

WHO CAN I REPORT THIS TOO AGAIN? I know we all have our little altercations with dumb drivers all the time, but this guy was something else. I really think that if I hadn't jumped my bike onto the curb he would have run me down.. Additionally I think he would have beat me to a pulp had it not been for all the witnesses around us staring. I would like to report this to save the next guy from his wrath, as he may do something far worse with no one around to stop him. =-O

Call Valley Traffic Division and make clear in your statement that if you had not gotten out of his way he would have hit you. This may qualify as an assault with a deadly weapon. If for any reason you have difficulty with Valley Traffic than email me at 35128@lapd.lacity.org

I've been knocked on my ass, covered in blood, got the licence plate filed a report hit and run and nothing happened. Unless you spend a lot of time raising a stink, don't expect anything to happen, I have 0 faith in the police to do their jobs, they're too busy trying to fill the depleted LA coffers by writing bullshit tickets.

Thanks for all the responses and for the help Aktive and Sgt. Krummer. I've been in meetings all day, so I wasn't able to call, but I'll give them a call tomorrow. I didn't think to get any witness's information (DOH! Facepalm)...

As for something being done about it...I'll just have to leave that in the hands of the powers at be... I'll follow up tomorrow. Today on my lunch I was looking over my shoulder more than usual...almost uneasy to ride around my building...

Wishing for the best for all of my fellow cyclists out there..avoid this goon.. :D

I just called Valley Traffic and they said I need to go into any station and file the report...(sigh)...Tonight's my mother-in-laws birthday..so maybe I'll go tomorrow. I'll check hours of operation...

Valley Traffic is Open 24/7 so you can go in at any time and make the report at your conveniance.

If you make the trip and there is a problem please contact me (regardless of time) and I will attempt to assist you so that your trip is not wasted. You can get my number form Aktive or you can email me and I will email you back my cellphone.

I will be out of town from December 4 through December 11.

Good luck and let us know how it went.

FYI...I am including relevant parts of our policy to take with you just in case:

SPECIAL ORDER NO. 2 (February 1, 2011)

A. When the suspect's vehicle makes contact with the victim (pedestrian or bicyclist) and/or any vehicle occupied by the victim, the reporting traffic officer shall:

* Complete an IR (Investigative Report) and complete a diagram

B. When the suspect's vehicle does not make contact with the victim or the vehicle that the victim occupies, the reporting officer shall complete an IR titled, "ADW with a Vehicle." No Diagram is required.

D. Whenever a motor vehicle is involved in a collision with a party where the elements of ADW are not met, but the party insists that the collision was the result of the driver's malicious intent, the reporting traffic officer shall complete a traffic report and include any statements and evidence in support of such an allegation as a page of the
report, regardless of whether the collision resulted in injuries.

E. Whenever a motor vehicle is involved in an incident with a party where no contact was made, but the other party sustained an injury in an attempt to avoid an imminent collision, a traffic report will be completed.

The options under this policy and the facts that you have mentioned suggest that they will do one of the following

1) Under section B they will take an IR titled ADW with a Vehicle

2) Under section D or E they will complete a Traffic Report and incorporate your statements which will be reviewed and followed up on. The report is subject to reclassification as an ADW with a vehicle if the investigation turns up any evidence of intent.

Hope this helps...if not tell them to call me Sgt. David Krumer at the Office of Operations.

DO NOT FORGET TO FOLLOW UP WITH THE DETECTIVE ASSIGNED TO THE CASE AFTER YOU MAKE THE REPORT.

Seriously, I can't stress this enough. Don't leave without a copy of your statement and a report number. Call back in a few days to find out which detective was assigned to it and ask to speak to them directly. Go over your statement with them again. Offer to walk them through it all over again so they can truly understand what happened. Get their direct number so you can leave messages on their personal voice mail.

Don't be discouraged if they sound busy or annoyed. Call back every week to find out the status of the investigation. Don't just expect them to call you with updates. You gotta be on them constantly.

Just like Rev said..."unless you make a stink about it".... You really have to make this case a priority in their minds.

THanks for the help everyone!! I'll get over to a station as soon as I can...hopefully they won't mind the time gap..=/ It's friggin rough out there!! I'm just trying to make it home in this wind...:-0 I'll post back when I have something worth while of an update.